><>...Sure, I'd be glad to, but I don't see how that will make a
difference as to your accusation of my not separating the grace of God from the law.
My nationality,or heritage is Irish, French, and Norwegian. Probably some others too.
I've already told you my background, it is christian. I was raised in the christian church by hard working, middle class christian parents. I attended a christian school, that my parents worked hard to afford.
I was the 4th born of 5 children, and all of us grew up in the christian church and was sent to christian schools.
Jesus has always been my Lord and Savior, I received Him personally in my heart when I was just 7 years old....I remember it vividly....And I have loved Him since before I can remember....And God has always been a major part of my life.
I learned of the grace of God long before I knew of the totality of God, which I am still learning.
When I learned as avery young child, that Jesus died for me, I was awe struck.!
And James I still am.!
I remember as a very young child watching movies of the Life of Jesus, and being completely drawn to every word that came out of His mouth.
I remember crying at every abominable atrocity committed by some against Jesus. I remember asking, why? I remember thinking, in my ever so young and innocently ignorant mind, "why would those bad people want to kill Him.! I also remember thinking about all the pain that He felt, and oh it was so awful what He went through.
As I got a little older, but still yet, a young child, I realized that it had to be.! I began to understand that He was sent by God to be a sacrifice for us, all of us,that He died for me.!It was at that time that I understood what John the baptist meant when he said, "Behold the Lamb of God.!
I also remember reading in my Bible, and seeing in the movies, that He rose from the dead.! And this brought tears of joy to my face...Although I hadn't yet, at such a young age, fully comprehended in my immature childish mind, the effect of such a miracle.
But I did understand one thing, God loves us more then I could ever know.
Grace James? I know very well the grace of God and His mercies. I know that only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us. I also know that it is free to us, BUT our Lord Jesus paid an awesome price
for it....Grace = unmerited favor
Our brother John said of grace: "For the law was given of Moses,but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ"....and I say, Praise God.!
So I grew up muddling through life always knowing that the Love,mercy, and grace of God could never be measured by us lowly and sinful people, as long as we are in the flesh.
Some years ago I was greatly moved to discover and uncover all of what God said and what He meant by it all, from Genesis to Revelation....I am still discovering
You know how it is James, we hear so many different things from so many people concerning the word of our Father that it can send a person far away from God and His truths...and many of these people are well intended, but wrong nonetheless.
I had many questions that were either not being answered or being answered in contrast to what others had said, but more importantly, Not being answered according to the word of God.
And I know that this is a sore spot for you, and I certainly do not mean to direct it at you personally, but as to my background it is important that you know, so please bear with me.
I too learned of the rapture from a very famous and much loved
preacher, whose church I attented for some time. I not only learned it real well as it was taught by the christian church and all of the rapture experts and their books... but I began to teach it to others.! God forgive me.
In the process of teaching it I realized that it made no sense at all and did not line up with the word of God, in no way shape or form.! I also began to see, from the word of God, the danger in believing the rapture theory.!
This was revealed to me through very sincere and diligent prayer that God show me His truths and not man's....And when I say revealed
I do not mean some supernatural vision.....I mean that God lead me in His word, and there is no question as to His truths, they make perfect sense!....The rapture theory is not written.
Eph 2:8
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Yes my dear brother I am well acquainted with the grace of God, and I live my life thanking Him all the day long.
James I wish that we could be face to face friends instead of just cyber-space friends...Then I wouldn't have to keep saying that I mean no ill intent, you would know it already....
So if in the future I do no write it please always know that I would never say anything in strife or with any ill will toward you.
James I must admit though that I am still scratching my head....wondering why you would think I am not separating grace from the law...None of my posts even suggested that.
But in any case, if this post helps well then I am glad to have taken the time to write it.
Have a good day my friend
Shalom....><> |
